[NormandyMary]

You all have my utmost respect. I just wish that I had the round dangly things to get some meat birds and then do the deed myself, but I havent. My OH is even soppier than I am so its no good pinning my hopes on him.
So as I say, you all have my repect and envy that you can do something that I cant. Id rather walk down a flight of stairs with no rail and that is saying something as I have a real phobia about stairs. Takes me ages to walk down a set, and Ill ONLY do it holding on tightly to a rail, if I dont have one, I get a panic attack!!

What a saddo!

[Mel]

Growing up on a farm which had 10,000 Turkeys every year,obviously us kids were also brought into pluck them,when a little older,we had to catch them and do the deed ourselves with the machine-cone dispatcher.As a child I never seemed to have a problem with it,only there were lots of pluckers there,I also used to do some of the evisceration and earn lots of pennies.

What happened to me,Since starting my own smallholding I have had to cull a few ducks and chickens and like Melodrama says,I have to have a large tonic beforehand.I also tell them I am sorry and I promise it will not hurt,then sob after I have done it!!!    (awww,she is a soft at tripe really)

After a while of calming down,I'm ok-but get jolted with guilt when I see it hanging there in the mornings.I am fine after it has been eaten though!

So,Melanie,Well done!!

[tizaala]

I've been killing my own poultry  for about forty five years and I still have to steel myself and have a large brandy beforehand

Sylvia,  How many brandies is that over 40 years???      hic.....

[Sylvia]

I've been killing my own poultry  for about forty five years and I still have to steel myself and have a large brandy beforehand

Sylvia,  How many brandies is that over 40 years???      hic.....

[/quote

A fair few bottles, I should think! My ma had to have a good, strong cup of tea before she did the deed, much cheaper but it wouldn't work for me

[Bright Raven]

This is going to sound really daft but, When it has to be done I take them to look at something nice in the garden, I talk to them gently then stroke the little fluffy flap over their ears to make their eyes droopy and tell them what a good chicken they are before I do the deed. At least I know that they are relaxed and unstressed which makes me feel a bit better about it. The next trick is being as fast, efficient and humane as possible.

[Sylvia]

That is not daft Bright Raven but very kind and thoughtful I always make sure the one killed is out of sight of the next one in line and that the blood is washed away between each one even though I'm told it will make no difference.  I say how can anyone know.

[Barrett]

Bright Raven I do the same thing I will take them into the garden away from the other birds and sing to them before I ring there necks, them when I am in the house preparing the birds I always have to listen to the 3 tenners CD that is cheeper than Brandy

[mmu]

Very well done, Melanie,  I've been trying to pluck (sorry freudian slip) up courage for years since my hubby died.  I really want to breed my own table birds.  Policeman are children aren't they, surely.

[colliewoman]

well done!!
i got one step closer today, red-dog caught and killed a rabbit tonight so whilst it was still warm i wrung its neck, you can definitely feel it break. so much easier to try on a dead bunny, no way can i hurt it!
i thought it was going to be a feat of strength, but it was surprisingly easy.
every day a school day  

ps red-dog got fluffy bunny for tea, such a good girl!